Molecular Diversity in Sewan Grass (\u3cem\u3eLasiurus sindicus\u3c/em\u3e Henr.): A Natural Inhabitant of Hot Arid Ecosystem of Thar Desert

Lasiurus sindicus Henr., locally known as “Sewan”, a member of family poaceae, is a tufted perennial, forming a more or less oblique and woody rhizomatous rootstock with many shoots arising from the base, often appearing almost bushy. This grass has developed a number of morphological, anatomical and biochemical strategies to withstand the extreme climatic conditions. The leaves show characteristic C4 NADP-ME type of anatomy and have developed sclerenchyma to impart mechanical strength during drought and high wind. Sewan is a dominating grass species of Dichanthium-Cenchrus–Lasiurus type grass lands of hot arid ecosystem of Great Indian Desert, covering western Rajasthan and parts of Pakistan. It grows naturally in wide range of dry areas covering North Africa, Sudano-Sahelian Africa, East Africa and Asia. It thrives well in dry climate receiving annual rainfall below 250 mm prevailing between 25-27°N latitude on well aerated alluvial soils or light sandy soils with a pH of 8.5, rocky ground and gravelly soils. Though this grass tolerates prolonged droughts but has not been found growing in higher rainfall zones and faces a serious threat of becoming an endangered due to changes in the land use pattern, increase in soil moisture regime and overgrazing. The Sewan grass, considered as the “King of Desert Grasses”, is quite palatable and nutritious for the livestock. Crude protein in young leaves varies from 7 to 14% and remains high even at maturity leading to its better suitability for efficient utilization in the animal based agri-horti-pastoral production system prevalent in hyper arid regions of western Rajasthan. In the three districts of western Rajasthan viz. Bikaner, Barmer and Jaisalmer the sustainability and productivity of livestock mainly depends on the sewan based pasture system. The present study was undertaken to analyze the extent of genetic variability existing among the L. sindicus germplasm, collected from Bikaner, Barmer and Jaisalmer, the diversity rich districts of hyper-arid Rajasthan, using ISSR and RAPD markers, for its importance in determining survival under changing climate

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Not AvailableOrganogenic callus was successfully induced from pre-injured single shoots derived from in vitro multiplying cultures of Bambusa nutans. Plant growth regulator combinations of 2,4D (5μ M), BAP (2.5μ M) and ABA (1μ M) proved to be more efficient in inducing callus, in 79.93% of cultures with an average of 346.13 mg of fresh weight callus, than auxins used alone or in combination with cytokinins. Induced callus was subsequently proliferated at a faster rate on multiplication medium (MS) supplemented with 2,4-D (5μ M) and BAP (2.5μ M). Organogenic callus was subsequently transferred to shoot regeneration medium. Efficient regeneration of shoot buds and their conversion into shoots was recorded on MS medium supplemented with BAP (5μ M) and NAA (1.25μ M) on which 18.11 buds were induced which proliferated into 10.31 shoots. Spontaneous regeneration of roots on shoots was evidenced on regeneration medium itself.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableClonal variations were observed amongst 12 clones of Dalbergia sissoo belonging to four states (U.P, Uttaranchal, Haryana and Rajasthan) of India, representing four different geographical zones in respect of ex vitro shoot coppicing ability and in vitro responses. Coppicing ability of shoot hedges of clones exhibited significant variation which ranged from average of 13.81 coppiced shoots (Clone 40, Uttar Pradesh) to 9.29 (Clone 64, Haryana). Comparative analysis of clones from different regions in respect to their coppicing ability revealed that clones from U.P had higher coppicing ability whereas those from Haryana proved to be least coppicers. Regional variations were also exhibited in the in vitro multiple bud induction ability on nodal explants excised from shoot hedges of clones (mean number of buds induced and percentage of cultures forming multiple buds). Regional as well as inter clonal variations were recorded in the shoot proliferation efficiency as well as rootability of microshoots of these clones as well as their optimal plant growth regulator requirements. BAP alone (2.5 μM) was sufficient for inducing multiple buds on cultured nodal explants of Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh region clones. On the contrary, clones from Rajasthan and Haryana had higher optimal requirement of BAP and in addition, they required media to be supplemented with auxin (NAA) for induction of multiple buds on explants. Correlation analysis between shoot coppicing ability of clones and in vitro performances of explants of these clones cultured on 2.5 μM BAP indicates a positive correlation. Observation lays credence to our view that these characters are genetically controlled and shoot coppicing can be used as a marker character in optimizing in vitro performance of clones. Using the information generated by this paper in vitro production of elite planting material can be maximized by ameliorating plant growth regulator requirement in the medium.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableTecomella undulata (Sm.) Seem (family Bignoniaceae) is an economically and pharmaceutically important timber tree of arid regions of India. Overexploitation of natural stands coupled with minimal conservation and reforestation efforts has led to its incorporation in list of endangered species. This monotypic genus can be propagated only through seeds as no methods are available for its vegetative propagation. Therefore, protocol for multiplication of T. undulata via direct regeneration using nodal segments from mature trees has been standardized. Authentication of genetic homogeneity of these in vitro-raised plants is necessary for commercial-scale application of the developed micropropagation protocol. PCR-based molecular markers which have emerged as simple, fast, reliable, and labor-effective tools for testing the genetic homogeneity of in vitro-raised plants were used in the present study. Arbitrary (random amplified polymorphic DNA, RAPD), semi-arbitrary (inter-simple sequence repeat, ISSR; start codon targeted (SCoT) polymorphism), and sequence-based (simple sequence repeat, SSR) markers were used. DNA samples of shoots maintained in vitro for 2 years collected after every 4 subculture cycles (of 3 weeks each) and field-transferred plantlets were compared with the mother tree DNA using 131 primers (25 each of RAPD, ISSR, SCoT and 56 SSR). Scorable unambiguous and reproducible DNA fragments were produced by 77 (21 RAPD, 20 ISSR, 22 SCoT and 14 SSR) primers. A total of 71, 93, 94, and 42 distinct and scorable DNA fragments were produced by RAPD, ISSR, SCoT, and SSR primers respectively with an average of 3.38, 4.65, 4.27, and 3.0 DNA fragments per primer. The true-to-type nature of the in vitro-raised plants of T. undulata undergoing up to 32 subculture passages over a period of approximately 2 years was authenticated by monomorphic DNA fragments amplified with all primer combinations. Therefore, the developed micropropagation protocol can be safely used on a commercial scale for multiplying T. undulata plants.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableA simple method has been developed for clonal propagation of mature trees of Tecomella undulata (Sm.) Seem, a medicinally important deciduous timber tree of hot arid regions, via multiple shoot proliferation from axillary buds after examining the role of season influences and physico–chemical conditions on micropropagation. Spring season (March–April) was the best period for contamination free establishment of explants and maximum sprouting of healthy axillary buds. Shoots proliferated directly from the explant nodes cultured on Murashige and Skoog’s medium containing cytokinins, BAP supporting better growth compared to kinetin during shoot induction as well as multiplication phase. Cytokinin concentration influenced the bud induction frequency and optimal response of 2.6 buds per explant was achieved in 86.66% explants on media supplemented with 10 lM BAP. Stunted shoot buds with excessive callus were observed when cytokinin concentration was increased beyond optimal levels. Ascorbic acid (50 mg/l), arginine and citric acid (25 mg/l each) were added to proliferation and multiplication media for reducing callus proliferation and better shoot growth. Among the media (B5, MS, NN, WPM and SH) tested, SH was best for shoot multiplication. Shoot cultures were multiplied by regular subculture of axillary shoots on SH medium containing 5.0 lM each of BAP and kinetin. Shoots produced roots when cultured on 9 SH medium ? 10 lM IBA. Regenerated plantlets were successfully transferred to field after hardening and acclimatization. Genetic homogeneity of tissue culture raised plants was confirmed by generation of monomorphic DNA fragments with Start codon targeted and intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers.Not Availabl

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Lead paper presented in National Symposium on Sustaining Agricultural Productivity in Arid Ecosystems: Challenges & Opportunities (SAPECO-2015)” on 19-22 August 2015 at CAZRI RRS, Leh .Not AvailableNot Availabl

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Paper published In: Souvenir of National Symposium on sustaining agricultural productivity in arid ecosystems: Challenges and Opportunities held at ICAR-CAZRI RRS Leh from 19-22 Aug, 2015Not AvailableNot Availabl

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Not AvailableTecomella undulata is a medicinally, ecologically and economically important timber species of hot arid regions of India and Pakistan. No methods are available for its vegetative propagation therefore, micropropagation was standardized using explants collected from mature trees. Sterilization and establishment of explants remains the most important step for successful micropropagation. In the present study differences in per cent aseptic (72.0 to 37.33) and necrotic (25.33 to 4.0) cultures as well as morphogenic response were observed when explants were collected in different months from mature trees of T. undulata. Per cent bud break (72.0) as well as number of shoots induced (3.04) was maximum in the month of April while explants collected during winter months (November- February) showed poor response. Callusing on explants was maximum during autumn months and decreased in explants collected during spring season. Antioxidants namely ascorbic acid (50.0 mg/l), citric acid (25.0 mg/l) and arginine (25.0 mg/l) when added to the establishment media (MS + 10µM BAP) reduced extent of callusing. Induced shoots were successfully multiplied on SH medium supplemented with 5.0µM each of BAP and Kinetin while rooting was induced on 10µM IBA supplemented SH medium followed by hardening and acclimatization of rooted shoots.Not Availabl